Five Big Things From Day Three Of The 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials

MacLean threw down a 1:56.94 to break Genevieve Saumur's Canadian record of 1:56.97 from the 2009 World Championships in Rome. MacLean's performance makes her the only Canadian swimmer to dip under 1:57 following the end of the tech-suit era.
Current photo via Chris Tanouye/www.ChrisTanouye.com

2016 CANADIAN OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRIALS

#1 BRITTANY MACLEAN SMOKES SECOND NATIONAL RECORD

After breaking the 400m freestyle Canadian record earlier in the meet it was clear that Brittany MacLean was ready to rock in the 200. What wasn’t clear was just how fast she would go.

MacLean threw down a 1:56.94 to break Genevieve Saumur’s Canadian record of 1:56.97 from the 2009 World Championships in Rome. MacLean’s performance makes her the only Canadian swimmer to dip under 1:57 following the end of the tech-suit era.

The time ranks MacLean 15th in the world this season and puts or on the position of leading some young guns and veterans in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

MacLean now holds long course Canadian records in the 200-1500m freestyles.

#2 KATERINE SAVARD MAKES THE OLYMPIC TEAM

After Savard was beaten by both 15-year-old Penny Oleksiak and Noemie Thomas as she watched her 100m butterfly Canadian record fall, it looked as though her best hopes at making the Olympic team were behind her.

Savard held on strong, and finished third behind MacLean and Oleksiak in the 200m freestyle to secure her spot on the Olympic team. Savard will be one of the four to represent Canada on the 4x200m freestyle relay.

#3 RYAN COCHRANE HEADED TO HIS THIRD OLYMPIC GAMES

While Cochrane might not be happy with the 3:48.54 that he swam tonight, he’s most definitely pleased that he will be headed to his third Olympic Games to represent Canada.

Cochrane has been faster at this point in the season, however his time brought him under the FINA ‘A’ qualifying standard and will be enough to send him to his third Olympic Games.

#4 KIERRA SMITH CAN TEAR UP THE 100

More known for her 200 speed, Kierra Smith showed that she’s a dual threat in the breaststroke events.

Smith won the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:06.93, making her the second Canadian under 1:07 today. Rachel Nicol was a 1:06 this morning, however finished second tonight to Smith in 1:07.10.

While she did slow down from prelims to finals, both swimmers were under the FINA ‘A’ standard meaning both will go to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Smith and Nicol will also both be in consideration to swim the breaststroke leg on the 4x100m medley relay

#5 THE BAUMANN LEGACY LIVES ON

Approximately 32-years after his father won two gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Ashton Baumann qualified to swim at his first Olympic Games.

Baumann was an absolute rocket in the 200m breaststroke, sporting a 2:10.69 to take down both Jason Block and Richard Funk by a sizable amount.

Baumann’s time was under the FINA ‘A’ standard and put him well ahead of his competitors.

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About Mitch Bowmile

Mitch Bowmile is a former Canadian age group swimmer who was forced to end his career early due to a labrum tear in his hip and a torn rotator cuff after being recognized as one of the top 50 breaststrokers his age in Canada. He competed successfully at both age …